Printing press



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Dec. 19, 1939.

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C. S. CRAFTS mm'rme rnnss Original Filed Sept. 15, 19:53

12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Snbentor Patented Dec. 19, 1939 PATENT OFFICE.

rnm'rmo PRESS Curtis s. Crafts, Oak Park, m, assignor to The Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, 11]., a

corporation of Illinois Original application September 15, 1933, Serial Divided and this application January 6, 1936, Serial No. 57,681

Claims.

The present invention relates to printing presses and more particularly to a novel and improved rotary printing press adapted for the printing of newspapers at high speeds.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 689,512, filed September 15, 1933, now United States Patent No. 2,085,185.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be 10 obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, conv F structions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description; serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a'single printing unit constructed in accordance with the present 5 invention, and looking at the left side of the unit;

Figure 1A is a side elevation, partly in section and with certain parts removed, of the gearing for the left side of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a similar view looking at the right side of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2A is a vertical section taken on the line 211-211 of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the ink fountains for a single unit and taken on the line 3- -3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the ink fountains for a single printing unit as shown in Figures 1 and 2,

with the printing couple, inking drum and side frames removed;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5-of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the right end of the ink fountain and showing the ductor roll operating mechanism;

46 Figure '7 is a fragmentary end view of the ink .50 line 8-8 of Figure 10; a

Figure 9 is a similar sectional view of the other end of the inking drums and ink fountain; Figure 10 is a fragmentary end view of the'right side of the inking mechanism and drive therefor.

ot with certain parts shown in section as taken on the line iii-l0 of Figure 8, and other parts being broken away;

Figure 11 is a detailed side view of the mounting for the inking rollers in accordance with the pres- Y ent invention, certain'parts being broken away;

Figure 12 is a section taken on the line i2-i2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the line l3l3 of Figure 12; and,

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line I 4-H of Figure 11, with certain parts broken away.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved printing press particularly adapted for use in the printing of newspapers at high speeds. A further object is the provision of a newspaper printing press having .an improved lubrication system which insures constant and thorough lubrication of all bearing surfaces anddriving gears. Still another object is the provision of a printing press which can be shipped in a partially assembled state, and can be completely assembled by relatively unskilled workmen.

As embodied, each of the units comprises a pairof printing couples, each provided with inking mechanism comprising ink drums arranged in substantially vertical alinement with the plate cylinder of the couple and driven from the plate cylinder, together with the usual inking rollers.

Means, driven by a vertical drive shaft, are provided for driving the fountain roller and vibrating the inking drums, and other means, driven by the fountain roller, are provided for operating the ductor roll to transfer ink from the fountain rollto the inking rollers and drums and thence to the plate cylinder.

The cylindrical body portions of the inking drums and fountain roller are preferably provided With detachable flanges and shafts at their ends assembly and reassembly which has heretofore been necessary for shipping newspaper printing presses.

The inking rollers for transferring ink from one inking drum to another and-to the plate cylinder are preferably mounted in hangers which receive the anti-friction bearing at the ends of the rollers, and these hangers are preferably adapted to pivot about either or both of two spaced pivots so as to permit accurate positioning of the inking rollers with respect to both inking drums or an inking drum'and the plate cylinder. Improved means are also provided for varying the pressure between the plate and impression cylinders as may be required for printing.

As embodied, means are provided for continuously circulating a relatively large amount of lubricant and for supplying it to the various bearings and gears of the unit, and these means preferably comprise a pump driven by the press and supplying oil under pressure to the various meshes of gears near the top of the unit and to the heavy bearings, as well as other means for receiving the excess oil from the gears and bearings and leading it to the other lighter bearings and the meshes of gears operating under rela-' tively light pressure.

The excess oil on the drive side of the press is finally collected and received in the gearing unit mounted on the main drive shaft to provide a relatively deep oil bath for these gears, and from this point is then led to the oil pump.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the printing press comprises a plurality of synchronized printing units, only one of which is here shown, which may be of identical construction and are arranged in line with each other to supply the webs printed by them to a folding unit (not shown), also in line with the printing unit. Any suitable number of printing units and folding units may be employed, with the folding units preferably interposed between the printing units.

The printing units each comprise a pair of printing couples adapted to perfect a web of paper, each couple comprising a conventional impression cylinder 5, and a conventional printing cylinder 6 which is provided with the usual particylindrical printing plates, both cylinders being rotatably mounted in suitable bearings.

Means are provided for rotating the cylinders 5 and 6 of both couples in register, and for this purpose a gear 30 fast to the forward cylinder 5, and a gear 3| of similar size keyed to the shaft I of the rear cylinder 6, meshes with a driven gear I30 carrying the drive. At their right-hand ends, the impression cylinder 5 and plate cylinder 6 are provided with gears 33 and 34 respectively, these gears meshing together so that the impression cylinder 5 is driven from the plate cylinder 6.

For the forward couple, gear 30 drives the impression cylinder 5 and at its right hand end a gear 35 is fast thereto, meshing with a gear 36 fast to plate cylinder 6. By this construction, the plate cylinders of one couple are driven in a direction opposite to that of the plate cylinders of the other couple, permitting the web to be perfected.

The side frames 8 are preferably substantial duplicates of each other, and each comprises a member having a general shape of an inverted U, formed from a single slab of heavy metal having its two sides planed to make it of uniform thickness. The two side frames are preferably bored in superposed relation, all of the holes being bored without changing the relative position of the slabs, thereby insuring proper alinement of all the bearing mountings and other parts.

The bottom portion of the frame members 8 is preferably planed to provide a flat surface to rest against the bed frames 40 and to which the frame members 8 may be securely bolted. The frame members 8 are preferably spaced apart and held rigid with respect to each other by means of a tie-plate 4| extending between the inner sides of the frames. Tie plate 4I is preferably positioned between and slightly below the impression cylinders 5, and comprises a plurality of irregularly shaped bars extending the width of the press and formed integrally with a flange 42 at each end, flange 42 being bolted to the frame 8 by screws 43. At their lower ends, the frame members 8 are braced and held rigid by means of the ink fountain, as will later be described in detail.

For driving each of the units, there is provided a gear unit 55, positioned in line with the shaft 50 and at one side of the printing unit, and serving to drive the individual vertical drive shafts I I0 from the main drive shaft 50. Each of these gear units, as embodied, comprises a hollow casing 60, more or less rectangular in cross section, supported on the outside of bed frame 40 and held in close contact therewith.

Immediately above gear unit is provided a gear unit adapted to be driven from unit 55, and

serving to drive the inking mechanism later to be described. This gear unit comprises a housing 84 secured to the upper surface of housing 60, the lower surface of housing 84 and the upper surface of housing being machined to fit each other. Within housing 84 is mounted a worm preferably formed integral with its shaft 81 which extends above and below it.

For driving shaft 81 and its worm 86 from sleeve 10, a bevel gear is keyed to sleeve I0 and is driven and rotatably supported thereby, meshing with a bevel gear 96 secured to the lower end of shaft 81 and held in place by the capping plate 97.

Worm 86 meshes with a worm gear I00 mounted to one side of worm 86 and having its shaft IOI extending at right angles to shaft 81. Shaft IN is rotatably journalled in the side frames of housing 84.

An ink fountain is preferably provided for each of the printing couples, and is supported directly on the bed frames 40. This fountain comprises a relatively long, shallow and narrow trough I29 extending from one side frame 8 of the press to the other side frame. At either end, the trough I29 is formed with a downwardly projecting portion I3I adapted to be bolted to the inner side of bed frame 40 by bolts I32, and a narrow vertical web I33 is provided extending between the portions I3I, serving to support the bottom of the fountain. The bottom of the fountain preferably slopes very slightly towards the center and a drain plug I34 is provided which may be removed for thorough cleaning of the fountain.

At its ends, the trough is also fastened to the side frames 8 by means of laterally extending brackets I35 formed integrally with the trough I29 and screws I36 passing through the brackets I35 and threaded into the frame.

Within the trough, and dipping into the ink retained therein, is a fountain roller I40 comprising a hollow roller of substantialy the same length as the cylinders 5 and 6, and provided with shafts MI and I42 secured to opposite ends of the roller by flanges I43 and I44 formed integrally with lower portions of the side frames 8. Bearings I48 on shaft I42 are held spaced apart by means of a spacing sleeve I48, and are held within the sleeve I48 by means of the retaining rings I50 and II,

' these rings being secured to opposite ends of the sleeve I48 by screws I52. At the other end of the roller, the bearings I46 are mounted onshaft HI and are spaced apart by means of a spacer ring 854, while the bearings are held together by shoulder I55 on shaft I4I with the inner portion of the hub of gear I56 keyed to shaft HI and pressed inwardly by means of plate I51 and screw I58. Sleeve I 41 is held in proper position in the frame 8 by means of screw I59 passing through the outer flange of sleeve I41 and threaded into the frame.

Means are provided for rotating the fountain roll I40 at a relatively slow speed, and for this purpose gear I60 keyed to the end of shaft I42 and secured thereon by cap I62, meshes with a gear I6I mounted on the end of shaft IN. The necessary slow speed of fountain roller I40 is obtained through the worm .gearing '86, I00 and bevel gears I60 and I6I. Gears I60 and I6I are housed within a housing I65 which also serves 'to support the ball bearings I66 at either side 'of gear I6 I, the outer bearing being secured in place against a shoulder near the, end of shaft IOI by means of screw I61 and cap I68, which are accessible by removal of plate I69 secured to the end wall of housing I65 by screws I10.

Means are provided for removing surplus ink from the fountain roller I40 andfor regulating the quantity of ink to be fed from it to the printing couple, and for this purpose a scraper blade I15, of conventional construction, is mounted above the fountain roller, and variably pressed into contact with the surface of the fountain roller by means of the usual columnar adjusting means I16.

Means are provided for transferring ink from the fountain roller to a series of ink forwarding and distributing rollers and drums which spread the ink into a uniform film and then apply it to the plates on the plate cylinder of the couple. As embodied, these transferring means comprise a freely rotatable ductor roll mounted in arms which are adapted to be oscillated, first pressing the ductor'roll against the fountain roller and then pressing it into contact with an ink drum mounted above it.

Ductor' roll I80 is provided at its ends with reduced end portions I8I which are journalled in suitable bearings I82 carried at the outer ends of arms I83 which are clamped to shaft I84. Shaft I84 is mounted in suitable bearings in the side frames 8, and at one end is provided with an arm I85 fixed to said shaft and projecting upwardly therefrom. Means are provided for oscillating shaft-I84, and for this purpose a cam I86 formed integrally with a gear I81 is rotatably mounted-by means of shaft I88 carried in ball bearings I89 seated in the frame 8, and bearings I90 seated in a suitable recess in the outer wall of housing I9I attached to the outside of frame 8.

with parallel guideways I96 which cooperate with a guide I96 freely rotatable on shaft I88, serving to hold yoke I94 against vertical movement. At its other end, yoke I94 is connected to a lever I98 freely oscillatable on shaft I84, the connection being eflected through pivot pin I89. Movement of lever I98 is transmitted to arm I85 and thence to the ductor roller I80 by means of the opposed screws 200 threaded in lugs 201 which are formed integrally with a bracket 202 secured to the upper end of lever I98, the inner .ends of these screws being adapted to be tightened against a bolt 502 fixed in the upper end of arm I85 to vary the angular position of the ductor roll I80 and thereby accommodate different sizes of rollers. After suitable adjustment, screws 200 and bolts 502 are tightened to securely hold arms I 85 in proper position. Means are provided for pressing cam roller I92 against the surface of cam I86, and for resiliently pressing roller I80 into contact with fountain roller I40. For this purpose, a rod 205 is, slidable in a cylindrical bore 206 formed in guide I96, and at its other end rod 205 is pivotally connected with yoke I94 by meansof a screw 201 passing through an eyelet 208 at the end of rod 205. A helically. coiled spring 209 encircles rod 205 and is compressed between eye 208 and guide I96, and slides back and forth on said rod as yoke I94 is reciprocated by cam I86.

. An inking drum 2I0 is rotatably mounted by means of its shafts 2 which are rotatably journalled in the aide frames 8, the inner ends of these shafts being provided with flanges 2I2 which are bolted to the drum body 2I0 by screws 2I3. Immediately above drum 2I0 is a similar drum 2I5, of slightly larger diameter, similarly mounted by means of its shafts 2I6, rotatably journalled in the side frames 8 and secured to the drum body by flanges 2I1 and screws 2I8.

Means are provided for rotating. drums 2I0 and 2I5 by rotation of the cylinders of the printing couple, and for this purpose a gear 2I9 is formed integrally with the gear body of gear 34 or 36, at one end of the plate cylinder 6 of each couple. Gear 2I9 meshes with an intermediate gear 220 which in turn meshes with a gear 22I rigidly secured to the end of one shaft 2I6 by key 222 and cap 223. Gear 22I drives a pinion 224 rotatably mounted by ball bearings 225 on stud 226 projecting laterally from the side frame 8. Drum 2I0 is rotatably driven through its shaft 2I I by means of gear 230 rigidly secured on the end of one shaft 2 by key 23I and cap 232, which meshes with idler 224. Preferably, cylinder 6, drums 2I5 and 2I0, rollers I80 and I40 have their axis in substantially the same vertical plane.

Means are also provided for vibrating inking drumsv 2I0 and 2I5 as they rotate to facilitate uniform distribution of the link on said drums,

and for this purpose the shafts 2H and 2I6 are slidable in their respective bearings 235 and 236 in side frames 8,. and gear 220 and idler 224 have I sufiiciently wide teeth to rotatably drive drums 2I0 and 2| 5 as these drums are vibrated. At their ends opposite the gears HI and 23 0, the shaft ends of drums 2I0 and 2I5 are of reduced diameter and are each provided with a bushing 238 fitted to the reduced shaft end and provided with an annular flange 239 of larger diameter formed integrally with the bushing 238. An outer circular 'plate 240 is provided and is held tightly against the bushing 238 by means of a screw 24I passing through the center of the plate and threaded into the shaft end. Positioned between plate 248 and flange 239 is a collar 242, and these collars for shafts 2!! and 2!6 are pivotally con nected to the opposite ends of bell crank 243 by means of pivot pins 244, projecting radially inwardly into suitable sockets in collars 242, and secured in the outer forked ends of bell crank 243. Bell crank 243 is pivotally mounted intermediate shafts 2!! and 2!& by means of a pivot pin 245 which is supported in bracket 246 secured to the outside of side frame 8. Bell crank 243 is formed with a laterally projecting arm 241 which is pivotally connected with link 248 by means of pivot pin 249, passing through an aperture in the upper end of link 248 and through similar apertures in the outer ends of forked arm 241.

- Link 248 at its lower end is enlarged to form an eccentric strap 25! cooperating with eccentric 252 keyed to shaft !0! and driven thereby so that as the inking mechanism is driven, link 248 is reciprocated, causing vibration of inking drums 2H1 and M5.

Means are provided for transferring ink from drum 2!!) to drum 2!5 and from drum 2l5 to the plates on plate cylinder 6,'as well as for distributing the ink on drums 2!!) and 2!5. For this purpose, transfer rollers 26!] and form inking rollers 26! and 262 are rotatably mounted, each transfer roller contacting with drums 2!!) and H5, while the form inking rollers 26! and 262 contact with drum 2!5 and the plates on plate cylinder 6.

Means are provided for rotatably supporting the transfer and form inking rollers, and for minutely moving them with respect to either or both of the cylinders with which they contact. As embodied, these means preferably comprisea small frame 265 having a general U-shape, on one side of which is formed a socket for receiving ball bearings at the end of a roller, and this socket is preferably made in separable halves 266 and 261, one of which may be formed integrally with frame 265, while the other half is secured to the first half by means of studs 268 and extension wing nuts 269, studs 268 being threaded into the sides of socket member 266 and passing through a slightly larger aperture at the sides of socket member 261.

Socket members 266 and 261, when held together form a cylindrical socket having bevelei side walls into which may be closely fitted the ball bearing assembly on the end of the roller shaft. This ball bearing assembly comprises a self-aligning ball bearing 210, the inner race of which has 'a slightly tapered bore, and is fitted on to cone 21! which, in turn, is closely fitted on the reduced end portion 212 of the roller shaft, and is held against shoulder 213 by threaded collar 214 which is screwed on the threaded outer por- .tion 215 of the roller shaft. The outer race of ball bearing 210 is seated within a cylindrical carrier 216 having a beveled outer wall, and is retained therein by a collar 211 screwed to carrier 216 by screws 218. Suitable lubricant retaining rings 28!) are provided in members 216 and 211 and cooperate with collar 214 and a reduced portion of the roller to retain lubricant within the bearing, and lubricant may be introduced into the bearing through nipple 28! and passageway 282. At its extreme end, the roller shaft is provided with a relatively wide groove 284 which may be engaged either by a hook or by the operator's hand in moving the roller, and this extreme end of the shaft is received within the U of the frame 265, also providing a surface to engage with the lower guiding surface 285 on the frame 265 and by which the roller may be pushed into operative position.

Means are provided for relatively moving the roller body 268 or 26! with respect to the cooperating cylinders or drums, for varying the pressure between the roller and the cylinder or drums. and thereby evenly distributing the ink on the drums. For this purpose, the legs of the U- shaped frame are provided with openings 288 having guideways 289 along their sides, and cooperating with a rectangular block 290 slidable in the opening and secured to the side frame of the press by bolts 29!. Guide blocks 29!) are threaded to receive the threaded end of screwv 1 292 which is rotatably mounted in an aperture at the outer end of the frame 265, and is held against axial movement with respect to the frame by means of collar 293, fast on the shank of screw 292, and head 294. By turning the head 5 294 of screw 292, guide block 290 is moved within its guideway, pivotally moving supporting frame 265 and roller 260 about the other bolt 29! as a pivot, or by simultaneously moving both screws 292, both ends of the frame 265 are simultane- 2 ously moved with respect to their guide blocks 290, and the frame 265 and roller 260 is thereby moved inwardly or outwardly.

Means are provided for continuously circulating a relatively large quantity of oil or other a lubricant, and for continuously supplying oil to all of the principal bearings and to all of the gear meshes while the press is in operation.

As embodied, the bottom of the oil tight housing encloses an oil pump which is submerged] in the oil in said housing. This pump is driven from the main shaft and delivers oil under pressure to pipe 3!6 which is connected to pipes 3 by a T, and each pipe 3l1 is connected to a vertical pipe 3l8 extending upwardly on the left,

hand side of the press at one end of each plate cylinder and its cooperating inking drums. The oil supply pipe 3!!! extends vertically upward, and from it oil is supplied to bearings !6 for impression cylinder 5 by pipe 320, to housing H5 through pipe 32!, to gear I30 through pipe 322 and thereby to gears 30 and 3!, and also to gears !!1 and I30 (driven from gear !!1) through pipe 333.

A gear housing is provided which, together 5 with the side frame 8 on the left-hand side of the press, completely encloses gears 30, 3! and I30 and, as embodied, comprises the sections 340, 34!, 342, 343 and !5, which are tightly fitted together in oil tight relation and secured together by 5:

bolts 344, and to the frame 8 by screws 345. These sections, taken together, are somewhat larger than the outside of gears 30, 3! and I30, and serve to retain and collect the oil supplied to the gears as it flows from these gears. 00

The oil supplied through oil pipes 320, 32!, 322, 333 and 336 is fed to various drive shaft and cylinder bearings. and the excess flows into the lower portion of housings 340 and 343.

For lubricating the vibrator yoke and bearings for the ink drums, the lower portions of housings 34!! and 343 are connected with drain pipes 368, extending downwardly and tapped into the upper walls of the vibrator housings 31!. At 312, the

wall is enlarged and formed with a tubular pasto oil grooves on pins 244, and also communicates.

with duct 316 which lubrlcates sleeve 242 on bushing 238.

For supplying the upper ink drum bearing 236 with oil, channel 366 is connected to passage 316 and communicates with the pockets 36I formed in the sideframe 8. The outer and upper portion of the bearing bushing 236 extends upwardly across the outer face of the pocket 36I to retain a considerable amount of oil within the pocket, and the lower portion of the pocket communicates with an oil duct 362 leading to an oil hole and groove 363 in the bushing. At its inner end, bushing 236 is provided with an oil packing ring 365 retained 'in place by flange 366 screwed to the frame, and drained by pasageway 366'. Lower bearing 235 is similarly supplied with oil from ledge 38I through pipe 366'.

A second oil hole 386 is also provided in the' wall 312, and the oil flowing through hole 386 is caught on a narrow U-shaped ledge 38I formed integrally with and extending inwa. dly of housing 31I which also catches the oil from pipe 368.

Ledge 38I is provided with holes 384 through which oil flows and is caught in pockets 385 formed on the upper surface of arms 241 of bell crank 243, which pockets supply oil to oil grooves 386 on pin 249. At its sides, ledge 38I is provided with oil holes 381 through which oil flows and is caught by pockets 388, formed in bracket 246 and supplying oil to oil grooves 396' on pin 245. The surplus oil supplied to pocket 385 flows over the inner edge thereof and is supplied to a pocket 39! communicating with the oil tube 392 through which oil flows and is supplied to the cup 314 on the lower collar 242. The construction of the lower-collar 242 is the same as that of the upper collar 242, and will not be described in detail.

The vibrator housing 31I is supported on and closely fitted to housing 395 enclosing the fountain roller driving gears, and housing 395 is formed with an upper wall 396 on which the surplusoil from pockets 36I and holes 313 and 386 accumulates. This wall 396 is apertured to provide an opening through which extends the link 248, and the surplus oil flows over the edge of this aperture into cup 398 formed on the lower portion link 248 and above the eccentric strap 25I, communicating with the eccentric by means of oil duct 399. The oil flowing over plate 396 collects in the bottom of the housing 395 and gear I66 dips into this mass of oil as it rotates, and a suflicient quantity of oil is always maintained in the housing to bring the oil level above the bottom of bearings I46, while leakage of the oil through the bearings is prevented by packing ring 408.

Means are provided for withdrawing surplus oil from the housing 395 and returning it to the reservoir in the bottom of housing '66, and for this purpose an overflow pipe 46I is tapped into the outer wall of housing 395, and is connected to a horizontal pipe 462 which returns the oil through pipe 463, and hand hole cover 464, cov- 1 plate cylinder. Pump 3i I is mounted in a sump 446' and is driven from gear I56 through idler 45I. As embodied, pipe 4I6 delivers oil under pressure to pipes 4H and M2 supplying oil to the plate and impression cylinder bearings. Pipe 6 is also connected with pipe 4| 4 terminating at a point slightly below the mesh of gears 33 and 34 or 35 and 36, and oil is supplied to the mesh between gears H9 and 226 or 2I9' and 226 by a pipe 4I5. Pipe M6 is positioned immediately below gear 226 and delivers oil to the mesh point between gears 226 and 22I, while pipe 4" supplies oil to the mesh between gears 22I and 224 and pipe 4l8 supplies oil to the mesh between gears 224 and 236.

Oil is supplied to the bearings for idler gear 224 through pipe 426 which passes through the side wall of easing 42I enclosing the inking drive gears and .is connected to the end of stub shaft 226 to communicate with passageway 422, which, in turn, communicates and supplies oil to oil groove 423 and bearings 224 and 225. A similar oil pipe 425 is provided for supplying oil to the bearings for gear 226 which may be similarly mounted.

The upper oil pocket 36I on the right hand side is supplied with oil from the oil pipe 425 which feeds oil to oil pipe M6 for shafts 2H and 2 I 6. Inasmuch as these oil pockets are similar to those at the left-hand end of the shafts, they will not be again described in detail. The lower oil pocket 36I on the right side is supplied with oil from pipe 426' which is in communication with oil passageway 422.

The surplus oil supplied to the gears through pipes 4M and 5 is retained adjacent to the gears by the gear housing 421 secured to the outside of the press frame 8 and enclosing the gears, and at its lower end is open to communicate with the open upper end of the housing 42I.

Housing 42I is also supported on press frame 8 ing 428 enclosing gear 236 and the fountain roller and ductor gears. In its upper portion housing 428 is provided with a concave wall 436 extending around the lower portion of gear 236,

and forming with the side frame of the press and web 43l an oil pocket which retains a considerable amount of oil and provides an oil bath for gear 236. Near its bottom, wall 436 is apertured to receive a pipe 432 which takes oil from the oil bath and leads it to an oil pocket 434 pipes 414, M5, 416, M1, 418, 426, 425, and 426 collects in the pocket formed by wall 436, and

' the excess oilwhich is not drained off through pipe 432 flows over the upper edge of web 43I and through passageway 436 and on to the horizontal web 431 extending from the outer wall and is bolted to the upper flat surface of a housof housing 428 to a point closely adjacent to the side frame 8. Web 431 is apertured at 438, and the oil accumulating on the surface of the web drips downwardly into a pocket 439 extending longitudinally of and formed as an integral part of the yoke or link I94. Longitudinal pocket 439 is divided into two end-to-end sections by means of a web 439' extending between theside walls 446 of the pocket, and the excess oil flowing into the left-hand portion of pocket 439 flows over the web 439 and into the right-hand pocket 439, thesepockets supplying oil holes 443 and 4 .be lifted after removal of bearing caps 26.

respectively. Housing 428 is oil tight and encloses all of the feed roller vibrating mechanism, and its lower wall is provided with a drain plug 442 which may be removed for changing the oil.

As the surplus oil accumulates in the bottom of the housing 428, the excess is drained off through pipe 445 which extends to one end of the unit and is inclined downwardly towards sump 446' within which is located the right hand press driven piunp. This oil collects in the bottom of housing 428 below the level of drain pipe 445 and provides an oil bath for the feed roller vibrating mechanism, as well as the fountain roller bearings I46, the oil being retained within the bearings by means of oil-tight packing ring 446. In the rear housing 428, bearings I46 are lubricated by oil flowing through oil groove 441.

Suitable oil pressure gauges 448 may be provided for indicating proper functioning of the oiling system.

Means are provided for lubricating the ductor roller bearings at the ends of shaft It", and for this purpose grease fittings 450 are provided threaded into the bearings I82 and through which grease may be supplied for this bearing.

By reason of the present invention, the units may be easily disassembled for shipment and may be easily erected in the field with the certainty that the parts will be properly fitted. After the press has been completely assembled, as in the factory, it may be prepared for shipment, as follows: The main driving shaft 50 with its bearings and the main driving gears within housing 60 are removed as a unit. The upperportion of housing 342 is removed, the outer part N5 of the housing is removed and drive shaft H may then be removed.

Thereafter, the cylinders and B, with their gears, bearings and impression adjustment may The ink drum shafts 2| I and 216 are unbolted from the drum bodies 2H] and 215, and the frames are moved apart to permit removal of the fountain roller body and the drum bodies 210 and 2i5. In this manner, the principal bearings and gear meshes are not disturbed, and there can be no danger of improper setting of the gears or bearings when the press is reassembled for use. When disassembled, the parts are very compact, not unduly large or heavy, and none of the parts require unusual care in shipment, thereby avoiding the expense which has heretofore been necessary in completely disassembling and reassembling the parts of the press.

Means are also provided for optionally and alternatively running either printing couple in the reverse directionwhereby each unit may print one side of a web in two colors, and by running the Web through two printing couples, the web may be printed three colors on one side and one color on the other, or may be perfected in two colors. As embodied, a stub shaft 46I is provided, projecting outwardly from the right hand side frame 8, and positioned medianly between gears 33 and 35. Shaft I is adapted to rotatably support an idler, meshing with gears 33 and 35, and when used, causes all of the cylinders to be driven from gear 34 or gear 36.

After the idler gear has been put in place, gear 3| may be removed from its shaft, so that the couples are driven from gear I30, through gears 30 and 36.

When reversing either of the couples, it is not necessary to make any changes in the inking apparatus as the drums, rollers and fountain roll tages.

What I ciaim is: 1. In an inking mechanism for printing presses, the combination of ink drums and bearings for rotatably supporting them in a frame, means for vibrating said drums, a plurality of oil cups communicating with the bearings and arranged at different levels, means for circulating oil and supplying it to certain of said uppermost cups and means for conducting the overflow from said uppermost cups to the remaining cups.

2. In a printing press, the combination of a side frame, vibratable ink drums and bearings for rotatably mounting the drums in said frame, a fountain roller journalled in said frame, means for driving said roller and vibrating said drums, a housing covering the vibrating means, means for continuously circulating and supplying an excess of oil to the upper bearings for said drums and vibrating means, and for directing the excess oil to the lower bearings for said vibrating means, said housing collecting the excess oil to form an oil bath for the fountain roller bearing and driving gears.

3. In a printing press, the combination of an ink trough, a fountain roller running in said trough and having detachable shaft ends and side frames in which said ends are journalled, the journals being removable and of suflicient diameter to permit removal of the shafts by endwise movement through the frame.

4. In an inking mechanism for printing presses, the combination of an ink drum rotatab'y journalled in a frame, a fountain roller parallel to said drum, a drive shaft for driving said fountain roller, a ductor roll transferring ink from said roller to said drum, means for operating said ductor roll from the fountain roller, a cam carried by said shaft and means interconnecting said drum and cam for vibrating said drum.

5. In a printing press, a pair of spaced side frames, a fountain roller, an inking drum and shafts detachably secured to the ends of the roller and drum and rotatably journalled in the side frames, all of said shafts being axially movable whereby the roller and drum bodies may be removed without removal of said shafts.

6. In a printing press, a pair of spaced side frames, a fountain roller and inking drums, shafts having flanged ends detachably secured to the ends of the roller and drums and rotatably journalled in the side frames, said drum shafts being vibratable, and axially removable bearings for the fountain roller shafts permitting endwise movement of the roller shaft ends relative to the frames whereby the roller and drum bodies may be removed by endwise movement of the shafts without removal of said shafts.

7. In a printing press the combination of a printing couple, inking mechanism for the couple including a fountain roller and vibratable inking drums, a main drive shaft, a unit drive shaft driven therefrom, a shaft extending to said fountain roller, worm gearing driving said last shaft from the unit shaft, an eccentric on said last shaft for vibrating said drums and means for driving said drums from said couple.

8. In a printing press the combination of a vprinting couple, inking mechanism for the couple including a fountain roller and a vibratable inking drum, a main drive shaft, a unit drive shaft driven therefrom, a shaft extending to said fountain roller, worm gearing driving said last shaft from the unit shaft, an eccentric-on said last shaft for vibrating said drum. a ductor roll and means driven by the fountain roller for oscillating the .ductor roll and means for driving said drum from said couple.

9. In a printing press the combination of a printing couple, inking mechanism for the coupie including a fountain roller and a vibratable inking drum, a unit drive shaft, a shaft extending to said fountain roller, gearing driving said last shaft from the unit shaft, an eccentric on said last shaft for vibrating said drum,'a ductor roll and means driven by the fountain roller for oscillating the ductor roll and means for driving said drum from said couple.

10. In a printing press, av cylindrical body to be removed'from the press, flanged shaft ends detachably secured to the body, bearings for the shaft ejmls and in which the shaft ends are axially movable when detached from the body, whereby the body may be removed without removal of the shaft ends.

CURTIS S. CRAFTS. 

